Ted-Jan Bloemen (left) on the world single distances podium after finishing second on February 11, 2016 in the men’s 10,000m.

Bloemen became the first Canadian to win a world single distances medal in the 10,000m. It comes in the same season where he broke the world record in the distance, resetting Kramer’s eight-year old mark by more than five seconds in Salt Lake City on November 21, 2015 in 12:36.30.

“It was a really hard race today. It was a struggle for me,” Bloemen said. He had suffered a terrible cut to his leg during training at one of the World Cup races in late 2015.

“I couldn’t really find my pace like I was able to earlier this season, like in Salt Lake City. I was fighting against fatigue and my lap times. But I was really happy when I saw my time at the finish line. I was 10 seconds faster that I’ve ever been before on a track at sea level.”

The single distances continue through the weekend, with Bloemen having another chance at a medal on Friday in men’s team pursuit as part of a trio that includes Jordan Belchos, who finished fifth in the 10,000m on Thursday.